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All drivers and carriers must implement electronic devices throughout their fleets by the end of next year. While some bid a fond farewell to imperfect though familiar paper logs, others are more reluctant. Still, drivers who have already made the transition to electronic logs or e-logs are overwhelmingly happy with the results, finding few benefits to holding onto paper logs any longer than they have to.

Below are just seven reasons drivers have switched from paper to electronic logs. Altogether, they make a pretty strong case for installing electronic logs sooner rather than later.

1. Easy Transition to ELDs

The earlier carriers implement electronic logging, the easier it will be to adapt to new logging methods before the ELD mandate requires all trucks to run on an electronic logging device by December 2017. As with any major industry change, there will be an adjustment period and plenty of kinks to work out.

But carriers that switch from paper to electronic logs early will reap the benefits in 2017, when those already accustomed to electronic logging will seamlessly switch to ELDs and likely have a considerable edge over those switching from paper logs directly to an electronic logging device.

2. Ease of Use

Stacy Hill, a KeepTruckin driver from Canada (which recently implemented its own ELD mandate), said switching from paper logs to e-logging requires a smaller learning curve than going directly to ELDs or more complicated logging apps. “A lot drivers are old school and have trouble with smartphone apps,” Stacy said. “The learning curve can be big for some, which is why I tell everyone to try out KeepTruckin because you don’t have to be a tech genius to get it.”

In a review of the logging app on GooglePlay, KeepTruckin user Herman Lambert wrote that he hasn’t “had any issues with DOT” since using the app. “This is a great help my company runs all paper logs and I use this one mainly because my handwriting sucks and it’s a whole lot easier to let the app keep track of my logs and when I need to show breaks to be legal,” he wrote.

“The ease of use, editing feature, and the warnings when you are approaching a violation are excellent in my book,” KeepTruckin user Michael Brown writes, noting that electronic logging has also improved communication with DOT officers on the road.

3. Convenience

Not only do electronic logs ease the burden of meticulously recording and remembering to adjust and edit logs as conditions demand, they are also impossible to lose. Logging apps record information accurately and make it accessible to drivers and fleets the moment they need it. E-log users note the ease with which they can access logging information in order to prepare quarterly IFTA reports, identify general trends, and plan for the future.

“This app has made my life so much easier. I’m not waiting till the end of the quarter to find who has the info I need for my IFTA report,” KeepTruckin user Brian Weaver writes of the app in GooglePlay.

“Would recommend it to any CDL Driver who wants to keep his/her log electronically and have easy access to it anytime,” Karen Delgado said.

4. E-Logs Lead to Fewer HOS Violations

Hours-of-service violations are some of the most common — and most avoidable — violations drivers receive on the road. Wes Memphis, who candidly chronicled his switch to e-logs on Overdrive.com, said e-logs have allowed him greater control over trickier logging tasks that often result in a violations when done on paper. “For the life of me, I never fully understood how to pull off an eight-two split without being in violation until I got on e-logs,” he wrote. “Now I just log in and ride until my clock tells me I have to stop and take a break.”

“I’ve been trucking for about 20 years and recently went back over the road having to use a log book again and this app has been very helpful with the new regulations. In settings I have it to where it emails me an hour before any violations to keep me out of trouble I highly recommend this app… Now with the electronic logbooks this app is just as useful because it reminds me to keep my electronic log up-to-date when I’m not in the truck,” Hector Serano wrote.

5. Speedy Inspections

The implementation of electronic logging eliminates form and manner violations and makes hours-of-service issues less likely, but it can also make the inspection process a breeze. Electronic logs, when maintained appropriately, are much easier for officers to read and verify when a driver is pulled over for inspection.

“The fact it keeps track of hours, miles in each state and total miles, duty status, break, and total hours, I can’t wait to get pulled over by the DOT!” KeepTruckin user Traci Faulkner wrote, armed with her electronic logging app.

“A couple weeks ago I was D.O.T. inspected at the San Jon, NM Port of Entry and handed them my tablet with the KeepTruckin app for logbook inspection. They had no issues with my logs and was sent on my way in good stead,” writes Richard Szczepanski.

The ease of use is better for DOT officers, as well, who are hopeful the switch from paper logs to e-logs, and ultimately to ELDs, will improve the inspection experience for all parties. “The newer Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) that will be mandated in the near future should be better for the roadside officer and professional driver,” DOT officer Sergeant Joseph Farnsworth told KeepTruckin. “It will make these traffic stops and inspections faster, safer and more efficient off all involved, saving the motor carrier’s money and expediting freight movement across the nation.”

6. Protection Against Driver Coercion

Drivers are less likely to get away with hours-of-service violations while using electronic logs. For many drivers, this is actually a relief. Shortly after announcing the ELD mandate, the FMCSA began enforcing a Driver Coercion Rule, which prohibits managers from “coercing drivers to operate in violation of certain FMCSA regulations,” including hours-of-service limits.

E-logs allow for the type of precise record-keeping that makes potential hours-of-service violations hard to miss. Many drivers have noticed that the easier it is for DOT officers to identify hours-of-services violations, the less pressure they face from employers to commit them. “Many drivers state that they like having elogs/ELDs installed in their vehicles, and aren’t under as much pressure to exceed hours of service regulations,” an officer told KeepTruckin.

For drivers who have no interest in pushing past hours or hiding violations, e-logs are empowering them to stand up to pressure from employers to do so.

7. Reduced Liability

The prevalence of electronic logging has had profound consequences for lawsuits filed against trucking companies. In many cases, logging hours electronically benefits both the driver and carrier should an accident occur.

Even with the most meticulous drivers, written logs are highly prone to error. “No matter how good the driver is, there are always mistakes. Mistakes as to where time was spent, where things happened, where the last break in service was,” a lawyer who represents trucking companies told us.

If a driver receives a violation and is involved in an accident in the same trip, a lawsuit could be filed claiming that a driver’s hours of service violation was the reason for the crash. With paper logs — notoriously difficult to maintain and organize — plaintiffs could point to improper record-keeping as evidence that a violation might have occurred, and that violation might have caused the crash.

With electronic logging, there’s less wondering what “might” have happened and what “might” have caused what. As such, the likelihood a weak lawsuit will move forward is considerably reduced.